Did you remember Employee Appreciation Day? If it passed you by, it’s never too late!
Everyday expressions of gratitude can be easy and effective. Simple gestures such as saying thank you can foster a culture of gratitude, where workplace appreciation is shared frequently and effortlessly.
Here are 10 employee appreciation ideas to execute on the fly:
1. Host an Ice Cream Social
Spring is coming! Thank your team with an impromptu ice cream social. It’s easy to gather supplies and have managers or members of the leadership team scoop ice cream for employees. Add in some ice cream gift certificates for employees who cannot attend or as a thank you for coming! To make the event even more memorable, consider setting up a toppings bar with various sauces, sprinkles, and fruits so everyone can customize their treat.
2. Tell the local media about an employee’s good deed
Share a feel-good story about an employee who went above and beyond at work or demonstrated kindness on the job. It gives much-deserved public recognition to the employee and is great PR for your company. You could also feature the story on your company’s website or internal newsletter to further highlight the employee’s contribution.
3. Get the ball rolling on an employee-led “recognition committee”
Organize an employee-led committee to build year-round appreciation within your organization. The committee could brainstorm new and innovative ways to recognize employees, organize monthly recognition events, and ensure that appreciation is a continuous practice rather than a one-time effort. This committee can also help in creating a culture of recognition that resonates with everyone.
4. Let employees recharge over an extra-long lunch break
Encourage your staff to take an extended lunch break and recharge in the middle of a long workday. Better yet, treat your team to a long lunch at a local restaurant and express your thanks to employees. Great employee appreciation ideas do not need to be ludicrous. All it takes is showing the effort for your staff.
5. Bring in breakfast
A breakfast spread of doughnuts, bagels, coffee, and juice can set a positive tone for the rest of the workday. You can also consider varying the breakfast options each time, perhaps bringing in a different theme such as a healthy smoothie bar or an assortment of international breakfast foods to keep things interesting and inclusive.
6. Nominate an employee for an award
Internal or external awards are a great way to show appreciation. Let your nominee know privately that you’ve nominated them and why. Publicly acknowledging their hard work at company meetings or in newsletters can also add to the sense of accomplishment and pride.
7. Encourage managers to thank their team
Encourage your company’s lower-level managers and supervisors to thank employees for outstanding work. Praise that is specific to recent accomplishments can make workplace appreciation more genuine and heartfelt. Implementing a “manager shout-out” board where managers can post their thanks for everyone to see can help foster a culture of recognition and encouragement.
8. Write a handwritten thank you letter
Be inspired to start a thank you note writing habit! It’s a habit many successful CEOs have started early in their careers because it’s so effective and memorable. Consider personalizing each note with specific examples of how the employee’s work has made a difference to show that the appreciation is genuine and thoughtful.
9. Share small appreciation gifts
You can buy little gifts of appreciation to share with your team, such as bags of local coffee, movie tickets, or sweet treats gift certificates. Don’t forget to include a short note with your tokens of workplace appreciation. You might also consider giving out branded company merchandise or personalized items that reflect the employee’s unique interests or hobbies.
10. Say “Thanks!”
The simplest and most spontaneous way to show your gratitude is to say thank you. It’s also the most powerful. Feeling tongue-tied? That’s natural. Unfortunately, the workplace is often the last place many people feel comfortable showing heartfelt gratitude. But a simple, sincere thank you can go a long way in showing workplace appreciation and building a positive work environment.
However you choose to share your sincere thanks, your employees will appreciate that you care. Whether it’s through a small gesture or a grand event, the key to employee appreciation ideas is to keep it authentic and consistent.
Make Employee Appreciation Day Every Day: Download Your Calendar Now!
Celebrate your workplace appreciation all year long while invigorating your employee recognition planning for the year!
Use this free resource to start building an everyday culture of gratitude that employees will love. You’ll find inspiration and employee appreciation ideas for every month of the year.
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